title: Laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  For a long time, laparoscopic pancreatic surgery was simply a matter of extended diagnostics without a simultaneous resection.
  
  
  METHODS
  The increase of experience in complex laparoscopic procedures combined with a substantial improvement in technical equipment has led to the possibility of performing pancreatic resections laparoscopically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In contrast to the experimental laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy, laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy has proved its safety and efficacy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In order to avoid splenectomy-associated complications, such as the OPSI-syndrome or formation of abscesses in the splenic area, the spleen-preserving technique is more favorable. Due to ischemia caused by the resection of the splenic vessels, as well as portal hypertension in the long-term follow-up, those vessels should remain untouched. The following article and video describe our approach for laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with sparing of the splenic vessels.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Clinic, University Clinic of Schleswig-Holstein, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Luebeck, Germany. e.schloericke@gmx.de
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schlöricke
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nolde
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Roblick
authors.forename: Hans-Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Bruch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000379:methods; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013154:Spleen; D013156:Splenectomy; D015996:Survival Rate; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color